Face coverings to be mandatory

Face coverings to be mandatory on all school transport for post primary children

Date published: 29 October 2020

The wearing of face coverings on all dedicated school buses and public transport will be mandatory for all post-primary children when schools reopen next week.

Currently, it is mandatory for passengers aged over 13 to wear a face covering on public transport and Department of Education guidance strongly recommends that all pupils should wear a face covering on all buses, trains or taxis for the journey to school.  Those aged 12 and under and/or those using a dedicated home to school transport vehicle are not required to do so.

Education Minister, Peter Weir said: “Principals and school staff have been working tirelessly to keep schools safe for pupils and, their efforts have ensured the level of transmission in schools remains low.  However, the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the community is something we all must seek to address.

“The Public Health Agency has recommended that my Department strengthens the requirements around the wearing of face coverings on home-to-school transport.  I have also had very positive discussions with the Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, on this issue and she too supports the need to ensure all post primary children wear face coverings on both dedicated school transport and public transport.  

“Following agreement by the Executive today, I have asked officials to amend the current regulations to make the wearing of face coverings on both dedicated school transport and public transport mandatory for all post-primary children”

The new regulations will not apply to pupils who are exempt from wearing a face covering.

Concluding Peter Weir said: “We all can help reduce the spread of Covid-19.  As schools prepare to re-open next week after the extended closure, I want to ask parents and carers to ensure their children have face coverings with them at all times and have a bag to store them safely when not in use. Encourage your child to practice social distancing and good hand hygiene as far as possible and advise them not to eat or share food on transport. 

“Parents and carers can also play their part by taking some simple steps such as not congregating outside schools gates when they are dropping children off, limit your contact with others, always wear a face covering and ensure you are practising social distancing.”

Notes to editors:

  1. The current requirement for passengers over 13 on public transport vehicles, including buses, trains and the Strangford ferry, is to wear a face covering. This is detailed in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 as laid before the Assembly on 24 July 2020. These regulations provide for an exemption in paragraph 4 (2) for those using a school transport service and also for children under the age of 13.
  2. Children and young people with special educational needs are not required to wear a face covering if they cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of any disability or cannot do so without severe distress. The current Department of Education guidance states that it is strongly recommended that all pupils, regardless of age, should wear a face covering on all buses, trains or taxis for the journey to school where it is appropriate for them to do so and they are able to handle them as directed.
  3. Follow us on Twitter @Education_ni
  4. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office at: Press.Office@education-ni.gov.uk.
  5. The Executive Information Service operates an out-of-hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Parents can play critical role in keeping schools safe – Weir

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As schools prepare to reopen after the extended half-term break, the Education Minister has asked everyone to play their part in helping to keep them safe spaces for pupils and staff.

On Thursday, the Minister announced that the wearing of face coverings on all dedicated school buses and public transport will be mandatory for all post-primary children when schools reopen.

Peter Weir said: ”The transmission of COVID-19 within schools remains low and by taking some simple steps we can all make sure that continues. I know that the overwhelming desire of parents and carers is to maintain a full return to school and I thank them for all the sacrifices they are making in very difficult circumstances.

“I am asking parents and carers not to congregate at school gates when they are dropping off their children.  Always practise good social distancing and wear a mask and try to avoid going beyond the school gate unless you have an appointment. If you need to speak to a teacher ring or email first.

“Try to ensure children have face coverings with them at all times and have a bag to store them. Encourage your child to practise good hand hygiene and advise them not to eat or share food on transport. 

“Parents/carers are at the heart of fighting the virus, and minimising any disruption to education, so your role in responsible action both at the school gates, and in ensuring that the whole family including children, abide by all the necessary health  restrictions are the difference between success and failure. With your help we can all protect the future education and wellbeing of our children.”

Concluding the Minister said that keeping schools open remains his key priority.

He said: “I know from speaking to parents, carers and teachers that they want their children to be in school.  Face to face teaching is the best form of educational provision.

“These are difficult times for us all.  As parents and carers you are naturally worried about the impact on your child’s well-being by not being in school.  Children and young people have missed so much this year already, not just in terms of learning but in socialising with their friends, taking part in sports and other activities.

“We are all in this together and we all must help and support each other through the challenging times which lie ahead. I want to thank all of you – parents, carers, young people, teachers and school staff for all your efforts.”

Notes to editors: 

  1. Follow us on Twitter @Education_ni
  2. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office at: Press.Office@education-ni.gov.uk.
  3. The Executive Information Service operates an out-of-hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Today, the Executive has announced that schools and other education settings will have the half-term holiday break extended from 19 to 30 October.

To schools and education settings
I know that this year has been a very stressful time for education settings, schools, pupils and parents.
Today, the Executive has announced that schools and other education settings will have the half-term holiday break extended from 19 to 30 October.
Education settings will be closed to all pupils during these two weeks including for vulnerable children and children of key workers. Schools and other settings will reopen on Monday, 2 November.
The Department of Education is asking schools to use two of their existing Optional Days with the remainder of the additional time off through the use of automatically allocated Exceptional Closure Days.
I am aware that some schools have planned shorter half terms so may require more than three exceptional closures. The attached circular provides further information.
Schools are closed to all pupils. Principals should only bring staff into school during optional and exceptional closure days where they are unable to work from home. As this is an extension of the half-term break, it is not intended to be used for remote learning.
All school staff will be paid as normal including support staff and any substitute teacher who was booked to work during this extended half-term.
During the week beginning 19 October direct payments will be made to pupils in receipt of Free School Meals.
Generic youth services will close during this period with targeted provision of youth services continuing for those young people deemed ‘at risk’ as directed by the Education Authority.
This decision is a small part of a much wider package of societal response, and I want to emphasise that schools remain a safe environment for children and staff.
I want to thank principals, teachers and staff for their dedication and commitment to keeping their settings a safe and welcoming place for children and young people to learn and develop.
PETER WEIR MLA
MINISTER OF EDUCATION

More information is here